Trad Gang
Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Captain*Kirk on November 16, 2023, 10:27:57 PM
-
I've been a trad guy since I put the compound down in 2015. After a brief fling with a Sage takedown I discovered the amazing world of vintage Bear recurves and have managed to snag a number of really decent used ones going back as far as 1964. Along with that came the love of building my own cedars and topping them with a simple two-blade Zwickey Eskimo. It just feels 'right' to me.
But since the season started I've been watching a number of YouTube trad hunt videos, and one thing that stands out is no matter the bow, almost everyone is shooting carbons with lighted nocks. And frankly, being able to see not only where the shot hits, but also where the arrow ends up, is quite intriguing, compared to my handmade cedars. Was it a complete miss or a total pass-thru? And how do you tell if you can't find the arrow? (unlighted nock)
But I'm wrestling with the question about whether to try this out, as turning away from technology (back to basics) is what brought me home to trad again in the first place. I realize the answer rests completely in my hands, but how do most of you feel about it? When is 'trad' no longer trad and what is your personal line in the sand?
Thanks.
-
I've hunted since 1965 and have used wood, fiberglass, aluminum and carbon arrows over the years and started using lighted nocks about 5 years ago. Now the only time I use wood is with my ASL. In low light settings in the woods I'll find that arrow I shot at an animal, so call me Benedict Arnold I don't care.
-
Trad ( Traditional ) is old Indian word , means NO compounds !
-
I've never used lighted nocks but I wouldn't rule it out if I hunted in nasty, thick spots like hog or javelina country.
I think anything used to find an arrow after you've shot at an animal is OK. I use a reflective wrap on my arrows(pictured), I also use a string tracker when I'm turkey hunting. If I shoot at an animal, I want to find the animal dead or confirm a clean miss so I have no problem with any "tech" that will help me do that. Nothing trumps tracking skills but a little help never hurts.
Best of luck in whatever you decide and be happy with your decision.
-
"But since the season started I've been watching a number of YouTube trad hunt videos".
That's the problem right there. Everything was going along just fine until you saw some yahoos with the latest greatest whizbangs, and you think to yourself "maybe I need some of those". Just look away, resist the urge, and remember that just because you can doesn't mean you should.
-
You can put lighted nocks on woodies. I did.
-
Badlands, Somebody has to ask How?
-
I've done it a few different ways and after a lot of fooling around, the easiest way I've found is the tophat method with the jig that 3 rivers sells. Just use the Jig to drill a hole down the center of the nock end of the shaft, (the hole accomodates the battery of the lighted nock), glue the tophad adapter on and incert the nock. (it's important to get the right diameter lighted nocks to fit the tophad adapter).
-
[ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
-
I've tried them years back but just don't find any love in them. Happy with bright fletch. :thumbsup:
-
I don't use them, but I like them! Never took the time to rig them up on aluminum or woods.
Shick
-
Yer still "trad" if yer bow ain't got wheels or cams. :thumbsup: :campfire:
-
You can put lighted nocks on woodies. I did.
I've heard of this being done, but thanks for showing the "how". I will be looking into this!
-
Bright orange fletch and bright cresting. Suits me.
:campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
-
I’ve never tried lighted nocks personally, but I do remember more than one Youtuber saying that they use them so that the shot will show up better on camera. As far as being “traditional enough” I think we all have to draw those lines in our own head. Zwickey Eskimos are traditional to me, but a stone point guy may not agree.
-
After taking to Mr.Green, Somkin Joe and Bill on our up coming LTR hunt I am going to have a couple lighted Nocks and a string tracker.
-
Here is a video showing how to put lighted nocks on a wood shaft. https://youtu.be/gVgfPWmvLW4?si=cZo4OyqSWzurNVE5 (https://youtu.be/gVgfPWmvLW4?si=cZo4OyqSWzurNVE5)
-
Here is a video showing how to put lighted nocks on a wood shaft. https://youtu.be/gVgfPWmvLW4?si=cZo4OyqSWzurNVE5 (https://youtu.be/gVgfPWmvLW4?si=cZo4OyqSWzurNVE5)
Thanks, fellers! I hear a new Winter Project calling my name!
-
Wouldn’t use lighted nocks myself but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.
Jon
-
Sometimes I'll hunt in the rain, and when I do I use both a string tracker and a lighted nock. Neither will do anything to improve accuracy or make your shot easier in any way. But both improve the odds of a timely pre-coyote game recovery, especially in adverse conditions.
-
I use lighted nocks.
Just don't resort to collasible broadheads. Then we'll likely have issues. :biglaugh:
-
I say use what works for you and makes you happy. One thing I’ve done to keep the old school feel but allow for better eye tracking is to add a poof of white or Florencent Maribou to the back of the arrow between the nock and fletchings. It’s not as good as a lighted nock but a white ball is sure easier to follow with your eyes.
Kyle
-
Mo-coon-catcher, I've used them also but usually they disappeared when entering an animal and once thru were covered with blood that made them hard to see.
-
I can see that happening. But Atleast you can have a better mental image of where the white ball disappears and an easy indicator of a clean miss if you can see the white ball from stand. But you’re definitely right about it disappearing after a hit.
Kyle
-
I forgot to mention you can see the lite nocks under the snow which is great!
-
Kirk, it sounds like you and I might be a lot alike. I hate to admit it, but years ago I used to spend hours pondering the quest for greater knowledge of what makes this or that traditional, or acceptable. I did accept that 'no wheels' defined the bow as traditional; but that definition alone was pretty narrow; focusing only on the bow...... and left the broader equipment issue too open for my acceptance.
I began to think that much of the traditional appeal for me dealt with the 'historical reenactment' of actual events which went well beyond the narrow definition of traditional archery. I didn't want to be like the guy in the local civil war reenactment that was located on the left flank, 2nd row that was carrying a scoped 30-06 while the script called for a black powder rifle:)
I guess I eventually landed on the enlightened thought that you can't live in the 60's....if only because it doesn't exist anymore. Due to that fact, at some point tradition and technology have to meet on equal terms in the broader sense of traditional archery. I now use the idea that as long as the spirit of 'style and function' of the traditional quest aren't violated, its acceptable to me. Example? Does a carbon arrow violate style and function?....no because nothing has changed in the style or function of what an arrow is supposed to do. Carbon just makes the arrow more durable.
How about a high performance bow made from the newest CNC machines and resins?...no, because the style and function of the bow in the hands of the archer remains the same.
So to answer your question about 'lighted nocks', I would apply the question "is the style or function of the lighted nock fundamentally different than a normal nock?" It really doesn't matter one way or the other how you answer the question.... because you will make your decision as to what fits you best. The 'style and function' litmus test is just how I approach such things.
Thing only truly constructive thing I can add is perhaps if you are going to watch youtube video's...watch those with Clay Hayes. That guy is awesome.....and you won't see lighted nocks:)
-
I agree with Tactical on this one. I’m not a fan of lighted nocks. But I use carbon arrows frequently and a sight on some of my bows. Maybe that’s even worser cheatin’.
-
Kirk, it sounds like you and I might be a lot alike. I hate to admit it, but years ago I used to spend hours pondering the quest for greater knowledge of what makes this or that traditional, or acceptable. I did accept that 'no wheels' defined the bow as traditional; but that definition alone was pretty narrow; focusing only on the bow...... and left the broader equipment issue too open for my acceptance.
I began to think that much of the traditional appeal for me dealt with the 'historical reenactment' of actual events which went well beyond the narrow definition of traditional archery. I didn't want to be like the guy in the local civil war reenactment that was located on the left flank, 2nd row that was carrying a scoped 30-06 while the script called for a black powder rifle:)
I guess I eventually landed on the enlightened thought that you can't live in the 60's....if only because it doesn't exist anymore. Due to that fact, at some point tradition and technology have to meet on equal terms in the broader sense of traditional archery. I now use the idea that as long as the spirit of 'style and function' of the traditional quest aren't violated, its acceptable to me. Example? Does a carbon arrow violate style and function?....no because nothing has changed in the style or function of what an arrow is supposed to do. Carbon just makes the arrow more durable.
How about a high performance bow made from the newest CNC machines and resins?...no, because the style and function of the bow in the hands of the archer remains the same.
So to answer your question about 'lighted nocks', I would apply the question "is the style or function of the lighted nock fundamentally different than a normal nock?" It really doesn't matter one way or the other how you answer the question.... because you will make your decision as to what fits you best. The 'style and function' litmus test is just how I approach such things.
Thing only truly constructive thing I can add is perhaps if you are going to watch youtube video's...watch those with Clay Hayes. That guy is awesome.....and you won't see lighted nocks:)
Great comments and some good food for thought, Mark!
I originally went from shooting...um, them other things...and came back home to the trad bows of my youth after being continually disgusted with the techno-race, where everything became obsolete and the object of scorn and derision after a few short years. After watching some original footage of Fred Bear and Howard Hill, I thought, "Eureka! That's what I'm looking for!" In the process I ditched the sights and learned to shoot instinctive (read; bare bow) and got into building my own cedars. I can appreciate the fact that I'm hunting with pretty much the same equipment that Fred used 50 years ago...and he was no slouch as a hunter! I would never begrudge anyone for using CF limbs, ILF risers, sights and all the latest truck that goes with all that, it that's their chosen 'thing'. And I'm not opposed to using carbon arrows either.
We (sadly) can't go back and live the 60's over, but to me, part of being trad is handicapping myself to some extent by limiting my effective yardage, lessening my precision by not using sights, and using handmade arrows that I built. But I'm also a realist and some of the comments made about seeing where the shot entered, where it exited (if), and finding one under the snow all have merit. While I will no doubt continue my back yard shooting with my standard cedars, I may just give lighted nocks a try-out on my hunting and stumping arrows just to see which way the wind blows. I'll be sure to update this thread if I do!
BTW, I have watched most of Clay's videos in the past. Very inspiring! :archer2:
-
I admit, I've never used lighted nocks mainly because I've never felt the need to add the extra expense. I never really thought about it not being "trad" because very little of our present day equipment isn't technologically superior to that of our ancestors. I've made wooden bows and cedar arrows, and they worked just fine. That said, Jason Kendall makes bows that look better and shoot faster than the ones I've built, so I've decided I'd rather spend the time shooting than tinkering. I still make my own strings, but I use D97 rather than sinew...oops, not trad enough?
As I've somehow managed to stay on top of the grass into my 70s, I'm starting to notice that I need a little more help from my equipment. My 44# bow draws so smooth and shoots so well, I wouldn't think of going back. Now that I have early stage cataracts, I'm noticing it's getting harder to find my stump shooting arrows, not to mention those that go through a critter. I've had to resort to going back after dark and looking for the reflective tape I now put on all my arrows (certainly not trad). At times even that has failed me, so I'm thinking I need to shop for some lighted nocks. Might even be more economical in the long run :thumbsup:
I don't shoot trad to be like my Native American ancestors. I shoot trad because it's just way more fun. You should do the same!